Activities

Junior Gran Paradiso Range (Italy)

Discover the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park, during this enjoyable hiking week in Italy! Established in 1922, The Park is the home of the Gran Paradiso mountain range, spreading across the alpine valleys of Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes. Italy’s first national park served as a groundwork for creation and course of action for all European wildlife sanctuaries. We will not only follow the foot tracks of an extremely rich wildlife, but we will also enjoy its local heritage and food.

It is a protected and wild environment with a definite alpine personality. Inside the park the landscapes are steep and challenging, surrounded by shear peaks and chaotic glaciers. Moreover, it reveals mellow and accessible alpine plateaux and meadows. Trails are generally well-maintained ensuring a very pleasurable hiking experience.

Sunday : CHAMONIX - AOSTE - COGNEWe meet in Chamonix in the morning at 7H30, and transfer by minivan to Cogne, Italy. We start hiking to Lago di Loie from where we can enjoy a superb view of Mont Blanc in the background. We spend the night at the campground of Lo Stambecco.Up / Down : 730 m

Monday : COGNE - REFUGE VITTORIO SELLAWe leave the valley bottom and head to the refuge of Vittorio Sella (2584m) hiking through the Herbetet alpine pastures. A comfortable trail meanders through a wild-looking landscape, with cow herds grazing across rocky fields, near glaciers and under the surveillance of an eagle ! … The view over the tribolazione glacier is fantastic! We spend the night at the refuge and experience a typical Italian atmosphere. « Pasta, grappa, grôla, e caputa ! e a pa de genepia ! » We celebrate with locals and enjoy pasta, Italian schnapps and the drink of friendship… Unforgettable!Up : 900 m

Tuesday : REFUGE VITTORIO SELLA - VALSAVARENCHE What a gorgeous day! In fact it is THE day of the hike! « Ma che come bello! » We leave the refuge early in the morning ready to encounter wild mountain animals. The hike towards col Lauson (10 890ft) is beautiful. Before the pass, we'll follow animal trails to reach small lakes. Back at the refuge, we can enjoy our picnic. Then down to Valnontey for a bus transfer to Valsavarenche to the campground in the hamlet of Le Pont.Up : 700 m / Down : 1300 m

Wednesday : VALSAVARENCHE We hike to refuge Victor Emmanuel, where mountaineers usually rest before climbing the summit of Gran Paradiso . The trail leads us to refuge Chabod. Facing us, the highest peaks of the whole range seem so close to us ! Hike down across the alpine pastures of Lavassey. We stay at the campground in Le Pont for the night.Up : 800 m / Down : 850 m

Thursday : VALSAVARENCHE - REFUGE CITTA DI CHIVASSOWe are on our way to refuge Citta di Chivasso (2532m). While following the trail to Della Mento mountain pass (2795m), the view over the peaks of Grand Paradis range is outstanding! After hiking across the slope, in a very progressive diagonal traverse we reach the welcoming Citta di Chivasso mountain hut. The impeccable service foretells a delicious dinner. We spend a very quiet night in a breath-taking mountain environment.Up : 900 m / Down : 260 m

The tour leaders are part of an excellent team of guides accustomed to working with juniors.

ORGANIZATION : A minibus support, along the duration of the trip, takes care of the luggage daily, meaning the children carry only a light day back-pack.The camp with 3/4 bed tents and a big tent for cooking, is already set up when children arrive at snack-time. The end of the day is filled with games, entertainment, and meal preparation until dinner time. Our meals are nutritionally balanced and we make provision for the children’s likes and preferences. Please tell us if your child has an allergy or follow a special diet.

LEVEL : 5 to 7 hiking hours daily on good mountain trails during 6 days. Average daily vertical gain : 700 to 900 m. Participants should have had a mountain hiking experience and be well trained before this hike. Each hiker carries his personal needs and picnic for the day.

ACCOMMODATION : 3 nights in campground and 2 nights in a hut. Our camp is set with 3/4 bed tents and a big tent for cooking.GUIDING : Minimum 10 to maximum 14 children and 2 certified mountain leaders guiding the group.

MEETING POINT : At 7:30am at the Compagnie des Guides in Chamonix. An optional meeting with your trekking guide is arranged at 6pm the evening before departure at the Compagnie des Guides in Chamonix.It is possible to meet the group directly at "Lo Stambecco" campground in Valnontey, (around 10:00am).

INSURANCE : Our mountain leaders are self-employed professionals, and therefore covered under a liability insurance via the French Mountain Leaders Association (SNAM). As a tour operator, the Compagnie des Guides is also covered under a tour operator liability insurance contract (MMA IARD). Repatriation and cancellation insurance are available from our office. Repatriation insurance is mandatory. We strongly recommend the purchase of cancellation insurance.CLIMATE : Alpine weather can change suddenly, involving wide temperature variations. Temperatures also drop with altitude, and snow falls in summer are not rare. A high pressure moving in can also bring in cool air. You should anyhow bring warm clothes and be prepared for cold or very hot weather, while minimizing additional weight gain.Please, feel free to contact the Compagnie des Guides for any further information.

Please, feel free to contact the Compagnie des Guides for any further information.